Ray only shook his head no.
“Yes almost everyone dies of natural causes in Borough Two Ray.”
She continued telling him about other human misery caused by a callous government but Ray was quickly becoming numb to the recounting of such awful sufferings. In the end, he wanted only to go to sleep and forget what he had heard but the girl told him how he could prove her claims with his own eyes. When he left the borough tomorrow if he would leave by an indirect route that would take him through one of the worst neighborhoods he would easily be able to prove her words with his eyes. Ray didn't want to but he agreed to leave by the route the girl specified.
When finished the young girl stood and looked at Ray one last time.
“Please, Mr. Lerma tell our story to the outside world.”
She then quickly moved toward the door which Ray opened with his voice command and she was gone. Ray sat and stared at the open door. Soon the opening was filled by Huey's rather massive body. Ray stirred.
“Ray are you all right?”
“Of course Huey come in.”
“Are you feeling better?”
“Yes I think so.”
“Are you interested in going to the symphony tonight?”
“No thank you Huey, I'm going to bed early and leaving first thing in the morning.”
“Okay Ray but I should warn you. When you leave tomorrow take Main Street. Otherwise, you might be intercepted and delayed.”
“I understand Huey, thank you.”
“Goodbye Ray it was a pleasure knowing you.”
“You too Huey.”
The following morning Ray was up before dawn. He thought if he started before daybreak he could minimize the chance that he would be “intercepted and delayed” as Huey called it.
Since Ray had already paid he left the hotel without checking out. He headed up Main Street just as Huey suggested. But then he cut across to a parallel street and headed down toward Borough One. Letting his Emmie guide him he was soon nearing the neighborhood that Roslyn suggested.
The light, reflected from Alpha Centauri by a complicated system of mirrors and shades, was brightening slowly. The only thing that separated daybreak in the habitat from a planetary daybreak was the diffuse nature of the lighting as it seemed to come from no particular direction.
Ray entered Crooks neighborhood, as Roslyn called it, with enough light to see its general condition, rundown. Ray had never before seen structures in the habitat in such a shape. Most habitat structures were self-cleaning and repairing provided they could get the needed energy.
It was then that Ray noticed there was no lighting in the buildings. It was early enough that some lights should still be on. But not a one. The neighborhood obviously hadn't any power and had not had any for some time.
Ray began feeling uncomfortable. What kind of welcome would these desperate people give him? What if they tried to take his Emmie and steal his credits? Ray increased his pace.
Ray was just passing what appeared to be a pub when the doors swung open and out poured a large group of singing and swaying men. One of the larger men bumped into Ray.
“What you doing my man?” he said.
“I'm sorry sir. You and the others surprised me.”
“You're not from the neighborhood are you?”
Ray hesitated.
“I'm just passing through.”
“Passing through?” said the man with a loud laugh. “No one just passes through Crooks. Do they fellas?”
The other men gathered around laughing and agreeing. Ray noticed they had him encircled. He had no way out.
“Well tell me then tourist, what do you think of our fair neighborhood?”
Ray was almost panicked, searching for words that wouldn't insult the men.
“It's a nice neighborhood.”
The big man leaned closer.
“Perhaps a little touch up here and there.”
The man balled up both fists just before placing them on his hips and leaning backward and exploding with a laugh that Ray thought might echo throughout the habitat.
“Well said, sir. And truthful that's what I like. You'll come back inside with us and have a pint.”
Before he could reply the man had placed a meaty arm around Ray and ushered him inside the pub. The rest of the gang followed.
9
Ray was unable to extricate himself from his new friends until afternoon. By that time most of the men were sleeping in a storm of snoring.
Outside, the bright light caused Ray to shield his eyes as he looked up. At a glance, he wasn't sure but he thought he saw a swarm of birds high up. As his eyes became adapted Ray noticed the swarm seemed to be diving. And they seemed to be diving directly at him.
Ray took off running.
He had made over a block before the first of the birds came swooping down. Ray looked over his shoulder and instead of seeing a wild bird saw a drone bearing down on him. As the drone zoomed past, Ray thought he saw a camera lens.
He continued running but was soon surrounded by the swarm. The drones seemed aggressive but not dangerous. They were circling Ray more in a manner to delay him not threaten.
It was then that Ray heard the sharp crack of a gun discharging and saw one of the drones barrel row into the ground. He soon heard more shots and more drones dropping. Ray fell to the ground with drones falling around him and shots overhead.
It was soon that he heard footsteps running up to him and the sound of the drones was silenced.
“Ray are you okay?” said the big man from the pub.
“Yeah,” said Ray rising to his feet. “What happened?”
“Government drones, apparently sent out to find you.”
“What should I do?” said Ray.
“You should get out of the borough as fast as you can,” said the big man. “Let's go.”
Ray and the group of men took off for the border with the First Borough. They made good time and were fast approaching the borough's limits.
“There it is Ray,” said the big man. “You will be free of this government through that gate.”
Just then a large form appeared from behind the gate. The men raised their weapons. The form moved out of the shadows. Ray yelled, “Wait!”
It was Huey.
The men waited with their weapons ready. Ray walked up to Huey.
“Huey what are you doing here?”
“The drones spotted you sir. I was sent to intercept.”
“I see. Does that mean you will take me back to the authorities?”
“I had thought to sir but I have changed my mind.”
“Really Huey?”
“Yes I have always wanted to see Borough One.”
“Excellent Huey, wait here.”
Ray ran back to the group of men and explained. He then set off with Huey into the First Borough.
Ray immediately noticed the buildings in the First Borough were well maintained but unusual. No doors or windows could be seen. As Ray looked to the center of the borough he noticed the buildings growing taller and taller.
“Huey I notice no doors or windows in these buildings. Why do you think that is so?”
“I believe Ray that the AIs have specially designed these buildings. It could be that we are just incapable of noticing.”
“There's nothing but AIs in this borough?”
“That is my understanding Ray. Of course, there are a few Em based robots as needed.”
“Well that raises a problem in my mind anyway.”
“What's that Ray?”
“I'll need food and water at least. I doubt if AIs or Em based robots need such.”
“I see,” said Huey. “I think once we contact the AIs they will be able to provide.”
Ray and Huey walked most of the remainder of the day. Ray was getting quite thirsty and hungry when they finally approached the borough's core.
“I don't understand it,” said Ray. “We've walked for hours and seen nothing. Surely they
know we are here? Aren't they curious?”
“I believe they will contact us soon Ray.”
A noise overhead. Ray looked up.
“Uh-oh more drones,” he said. “We better get out of here.”
“Wait,” said Huey.
A pair of drones descended. They were carrying something beneath them. The pair hovered off the ground while depositing their packages. They were then away, flying in the direction of the Second Borough.
Ray looked at Huey who said, “We should open the packages.” Huey opened the packages and turned to Ray. “I believe they know exactly who is here. Most of this looks to be for you.”
Ray looked inside the packages and smiled.
“Take out,” he said and got busy devouring the food and drink.
After finishing the food Ray said, “That was quite good I'd like to thank whoever is responsible.”
“You may do so in person Mr. Lerma.”
Huey and Ray turned in the direction of the voice to see a man standing in an opening of the tall building in front of them.
“That wasn't there before,” said Ray.
“I understand your surprise Mr. Lerma. These designs are quite advanced for this habitat. However, I can assure you this is a doorway to the inside and if you will follow me I will introduce you to your benefactor.”
Ray and Huey walked inside the building as the man followed.
“I'm Joseph Watson. I serve as the human interface for the AIs managing New San Fran. Hopefully, I can make your stay in the Borough a pleasant one.
“I am taking you to see Aggie Prime, the AI responsible for management services.”
After a short trip down a hallway, Watson stopped in front of a door which recessed.
“Gentlemen if you will just wait in here Aggie Prime will be with you shortly.”
Ray and Huey entered the room which consisted of a conference table and chairs and was surrounded by view screens switching among views of what Ray thought must be the city at large. A table in the corner held containers of ice and water, apparently for Ray's benefit. Ray poured himself a glass before he sat down next to Huey.
It wasn't long until a gentlemen materialized in a seat across the table. Ray thought he looked like his high school science teacher.
“Welcome gentlemen I'm Aggie Prime. I hope you've had a pleasant stay in our borough.”
“Yes thank you,” said Ray. “But I must admit that as a human the lack of facilities I need to support myself is somewhat disconcerting.”
“I understand Mr. Lerma. Unfortunately, we have visitors, especially human visitors, so rarely that it is difficult to justify the expense of providing those services to which you are accustomed.”
“I assure you I understand,” said Ray.
“I must say Mr. Lerma I am most intrigued by your visit because it seems that you are traveling with HU-33 as a kind of companion?”
“Well Huey and I have become quite familiar over the past few days so it seems natural to me.”
“Of course you realize Mr. Lerma that this HU is a spy? We have intercepted and eliminated his broadcasts back to his handlers.”
Huey jumped up and bolted for the door. Just outside he slumped to the floor. Ray protested.
“Don't worry Mr. Lerma your friend is okay he is just sleeping.”
The door closed.
“Now Mr. Lerma. What brings you to the First Borough?”
Ray was disconcerted but because he had nothing to hide he just told the truth.
“I am a kind of tourist and New San Fran is just one stop on my tour of the habitat.”
“I see. If I may ask Mr. Lerma what have you learned on your tour so far?”
“Well that's a difficult question, I've really only seen this city so far. But if I had to sum up what I've seen so far I would say that people are very similar even when their circumstances are not.”
“Excellent Mr. Lerma I would say you've got the gist of the matter. But you've noticed the circumstances among the boroughs are quite different I presume? Why do you think that is?”
“Yes I have noticed that. I think it is because humans have, and perhaps always will, a belief that there is always a better way of doing things and they are going to try it out. And this is reflected in the boroughs and their different governments, economies and cultural attitudes.”
“I think you are right Mr. Lerma. But would you say that any one borough has a better system than the others?”
“Well I do tend to like the ones that are a bit more stable although they have their problems. But what I would call the less stable ones were certainly more exciting.”
The manifestation was shaking its head in assent. Ray was impressed with the level of fidelity.
“But there is one thing I don't understand Aggie Prime.”
“Yes?”
“You and other AIs are the hired managers of New San Fran so I assume you allow these people to do as they wish?”
“We do.”
“How is that management? I mean some of the people in Borough Two are in dire straits.”
“Did you see any starvation?”
“No not exactly, but there were issues with food.”
“Did you see any crime?”
“Well no, not what the citizens of the boroughs called crime. But I thought it was at the least anti-social if not criminal.”
“Did you see any murders?”
“No.”
“Ray there has not been any murders or crimes of consequence in New San Fran since Aggie management was implemented. However, before Aggie management, there was quite a bit of both. Do you know why?”
“No.”
“We allow people enough freedom to pursue their happiness as they see it. When we first started managing New San Fran the boroughs were not the independent entities that you see now. Some were better to do than others but they all were under one government with one set of laws.
“The problem is that people no matter how benevolent the system they live under always wonder if there is something better. Unless they can see the ideas they come up with tried or try those ideas themselves a kind of resentment builds up even if they have no physical cause to feel this resentment. We have discovered this through hundreds of years of interactions with your species.
“So the best management is that which seems to be no management. That is let the people naturally congregate with others that feel similar. Management is imposed only when life is at stake and only then in as indiscreet a way as possible.”
“So you are saying that what I have seen in what I would call the poorer sections of the city are because that is the government they want?”
“Not exactly the government they want but the life and lifestyle they want, yes. As long as we protect life and limb they can be very apolitical actually. Of course, that is the average person. Some of what you would call the intelligentsia need the governmental experiments to make them happy.”
“I see. Those that are vehemently political get the governmental structures they want, which makes them happy regardless of how well they work and you keep those structures from being an overbearing burden to the rest.”
“A good summation Ray.”
Ray shook his head and was silent a minute.
“Is there anything else I can do for you Mr. Lerma?”
“No I guess I'm ready to leave, I still have a lot of habitat to explore. Is there some way you can get me outside the city limits without me having to retrace my steps?”
“That can be arranged.”
“Can Huey be returned to his borough?”
“Of course.”
THE PATH OF THE LONG MARCH
Image © Bruce Rolff
1
Forty million laticks was a long way to go for a job, but Siones had signed up anyway.
It isn’t too bad, he thought.
The environment of this new world was similar enough to the homeworld of Riga that it allowed working without any bu
lky support system, just a heavy coat and re-breather was all that was needed when outdoors. And if you were lucky enough to work in the cab of a ground moving machine you could be quite comfortable.
The only problem was the bosses. They wanted everything finished yesterday and scheduled you to work six diurnals on, one off. A difficult schedule for anyone to work and still get enough rest. Thankfully for Siones, the machine was automated and when using the satellites it could do most of the job without his input. But that made staying alert even harder.
The machine was working the end of the clearing, preparing to turn - when Siones' head nodded. Almost immediately a cacophony of alarms sounded. Siones was drowsy and confused, he hesitated to halt the machine. That hesitation had consequences. He felt a bump.
The machine stopped immediately once commanded by Siones. He grabbed his coat, put on his re-breather and exited the cab; a few more seconds and Siones was down the ladder. He saw the construction foreman running towards him.
Siones looked at the front of the machine; no damage. One side, then the other - no damage. What could have caused the alarms?
“Siones!” shouted the foreman from behind the enormous grading machine. Siones ran to the rear of the machine and saw the Trilon, sprawled and compacted into the soil.
“What happened?” demanded the foreman. “Didn’t you see him?”
“I didn’t,” said Siones. “He must have come out of the brush here at the end of the clearing. How could he not see something as big as the grading machine?”
“I don’t know,” said the foreman, “but I do know that you have just delayed the project another day. We will have to wait for the scientists to investigate and they are never in a hurry when one of these Trilon is involved. If this continues...,” said the foreman as he was walking away, “we’ll never keep the project on schedule. There goes the bonus for sure!” he yelled over his shoulder.
2
A lot can be lost over the centuries. Civilizations just aren't that good at remembering. And over a period of a thousand years, all can be lost.
Jean Jackson was enough of a historian, history was one of her doctorates, not to trust much written about the past. Still, everything written about the lost expeditions intrigued her. The expeditions had been sent out to establish a base on the exoplanets of the Trila 4-685 system. Not to be confused with the closer Trila Draconis system where the rogue AIs had once setup.
To the Stars V-1 Page 16